Elevating mechanism for operating and examining tables



Dec. 5, 1950 Original Filed Feb. 22, 1943 H. R. SHAMPAINE ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING AND EXAMINING TABLES 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

HYMAN ROBERT SHAM PAINE Arr- Dec. 5, 1950 H. R. SHAMPAINE 2,532,677

ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING AND EXAMINING TABLES Original Filed Feb. '22, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGZ.

IN V EN TOR.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 SHAMPAINE 2?: 2&

I I w I I H. ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING AND EXAMINING TABLES Original Filed Feb. 22, 1943 Dec, 5, 1950 Dec. 5, 1950 Original Filed Feb. 22, 1943 HAMPAINE 2,532,677

H. R. s ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING AND EXAMINING TABLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 INVENTOR.

HYMAN ROBERT YSHAMPAINEV f w w w m/ EY 7 7 n0 2 3 2 m I T A ms Ewm N B l A ANT W N Amm HA SHM X RW D N Hm T A v E L E Dec. 5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Feb. 22, 1943 IN VEV TOR.

HYMAN ROBERT SHAMPAINE v ATTOIPIVEY Patented Dec. 5, 1950 ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING AND EXAMINING TABLES Hyman Robert Shampaine, Clayton, Mo.

Original application February 22, 1943, Serial N 0.

476,699, now Patent No. 2,416,410, dated February 25, 1947.

Divided and this application April 28, 1945, Serial No. 590,755

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to surgical apparatus and, more particularly, to a certain new and useful improvement in surgical apparatus of the type commonly known as operating or examining tables, and. the present application is a division of my United States Letters Patent No. 2,416,410, filed February 22, 1943, granted February 25, 1947. v

The invention has for its principal object the provision of an operating table having a top comprising a plurality of sections connected or joined for adjustable articulation and readily and conveniently operable means for adjusting, and controlling the relative adjustments of, the several top-sections for supporting the human body in positions best suited to the surgery or examination thereof. 4

More specifically, the present invention has for an object the provision of a table of the character mentioned uniquely constructed for simplifying and reducing the ,number of controls heretofore requiring separate and independent manipulation, to the end of facilitating the work of the anesthetist, technician, or other operator in adjusting the top-sections to meet the requirements of the particular operation or examination.

e invention has for another object the provision in a table of the type described of an arrangement whereby all of the controls for the respective top-sections are within easy and convenient reach of an operator seated at the headend of the table, and such that all adjustments may be made by so-called touch control, without visual observation of dials or complicated levers which might distract the attention during critical moments of an operation or examination.

The invention has for a further object the provision in such a table of facile control mechanism by which each section of the table may be adjusted independently, or several movements or adjustments effected simultaneously, thereby conducing to the rapid adjustment of the table to the ultimately desired position.

Another object of the invention is the provision in the table of improved, compact operating mechanism, which is especially well adapted for enclosure in a housing of relatively small dimensions.

Other objects of the invention are directed to improvements in means for immobilizing the table and for controlling rotation of the top about its vertical axis.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully explained in the following description of a preferred embodiment of my invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein Figure 1 is an elevational view of the table with its top-sections in full and dot-dash lines in various positions of adjustment;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, chiefly illustrating the means for obtaining height adjustment;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan View of the base structure of the table;

Figure 5 (Sheet 2) is a detail section taken on the line 55, Figure 4, showing the pedal for releasing the table-top for rotary actuation;

Figure 6 is a detail section taken on the line 66, Figure 4, showing the means for adjusting and controlling the base casters Figure 7 is a detail section taken on the line '|'l, Figure 4, showing the caster control pedal; and

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8-8, Figure 7, showing the locking means for the caster control pedal.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawings, the operating table, as best appears in Figure 1, comprises generally a pedestal l and a jointed or articulated top, which latter, in the present instance, consists of four individually adjustable sections, namely, a head-rest 2, back-rest 3, lower body or seat section 4, and leg-rest section 5. In addition to such top sections, but not specifically here shown, there is preferably provided a foot-rest formed as a hinged extension of the leg-rest 5, anda body elevator or kidney bridge which forms a part of the lower body section 4 adjacent the back-rest 3. V

The pedestal 1 includes a hollow, generally rectangular base-member 6 having leg formations 1 at the four corners thereof, and as appears in Figures 4 and 6, concealed within each leg formation 1, is a caster assembly 8 mounted on the outer end of a lever 9 individual thereto.

The several levers 9 terminate, as shown, in: wardly approximately at the transverse center line of the table and are fulcrumed intermediate their length on respective fixed bearing-studs Iil that project inwardly from the skirt-portion ll, of the base-member 6, the levers 9 being each provided at its inner end with a pin 12 supporting for rotation a roller 12 Extending transversely within the base 6 below.

the levers 9, is a shaft l3 centrally off-set toward 3 the forward or control end of the base 6 and having its ends journalled in bearing studs l4 preferably integrally formed on the base skirtportion II. A pair of somewhat angular rockerarms l5 are suitably fixed to, and so located on, shaft l3: as to each. have its free end underlie the rollers I'Z 'ofa pair of the levers 9. A pedal l6 also secured at an end to shaft [3 extends rearwardly of the table through a suitable opening H in the base-skirt l, where it-i's conveniently accessible to an operator seated at the control or so-called head-end of the table.

Under normal conditions of use, the base 6 rests solidly and firmly on. a floor or other support, the casters 8 and likewise the pedal 16 being disposed in relatively elevated positions. When it is desired to bodily move the table, the pedal I6 is depressed, thereby causing rounded camming noses [8, best seen in Figure 6, of rocker-arms [.5 to force the roller equipped ends of levers 9 upwardly to a position against the under surface of the base 6 and the outer end-portions of the lever 9 downwardly for engaging the casters 8 with the floor or other support and accordingly elevating or raising the base 6 from the floor, so that the table may be bodily conveniently rolled on the casters 8.

Means for locking the casters 8 in their table supporting or floor engaging position i shown in Figures '7 and 8 and desirably comprises a pivoted detent l9 having a notched end-portion for receiving a projection 20 on the pedal 5, and. arm l9 extending laterally from the detent [9 serving as a counterweight for maintaining the latch or detent IS' in position automatically to lock the depressed pedal i5 and further serving to limit movement of the detent l9 by its abutment with stop-projections 2 I. It will be understood, of course, that, on quick depression of the pedal l6, its projection 20 will be released i from engagement with the detent l9.

As best seen in Figure 2, the base-member 6 has an approximately central annular opening, as at 6 and at said opening is provided with a short upstanding peripheral flange '22 and a series of spaced, depending lugs 23. 24 designates a ring having lateral lugs 25 appropriately spaced to mate with the lugs 23, to which they are secured as by bolts 26, and a rabbet, as at 24 formed in the inner circumferential face of the ring 24, together with a separable overlying ring 21, provide an annular seat and journal for a bearing shoulder 28 on the lower end of a pedestal or column member Z9, which constitutes the piston of hydraulically operable means for adjusting the height of the table-top and snugly fits the bore of a coating cylinder member 39, which is closed at its upper end as by an end-plate 3|.

It may be here remarked that a suitable pump (not shown) concealed within the pedestal 29 is arranged for actuation as by a pedal 32, which extends to the operating end of the base 6 at oneside of the caster control pedal It and serves, in the well known manner, to force suitable fluid into the cylinder-space and thereby elevate the cylinder and table-top mounted thereon, the outflow of fluid from the cylinder to lower the tabletop being controlled by a suitable valve (not shown) also operated by pedal 32, as will be well understood.

The pedestal or column 29 and the table-top which it supports, being journalled in the base 6 by the companion ring-member Z4 and annular shoulder 28, is rotatable about the vertical axis of the piston-cylinder assembly. Normally, rotation of the table-top is prevented by a locking mechanism also shown in Figure 2 and which comprises a suitable brake-shoe 33 mounted on the inner end of a plunger-rod 34 and urged or biased into frictional engagement with the bearlug-shoulder 28 by a spring 35% Outward displacement or retraction of the brake-shoe 33 to release the column 29 for rotation is efl'ected by means of a pedal 36 fixed to a shaft 31, on which a rocker arm 38" is secured and arranged for engagement with a lateral projection 39 on plunger rod 34-. It should be understood that, to render the locking device entirely effective, relative rotation: of the piston. and cylinder members of the pedestal is prevented by suitable co-operative means thereon; as, while not here shown, key and key-way provisions, for example; and it will be observed by reference to Figure 4 that the control pedal 36 has its tread portion disposed adjacent the treads of pedals l6 and. 32 at the rear or head-end of the table, where all such pedals. are within easy, convenient reach of the operator or technician.

Turning now to the table-top surmounting the pedestal-cylinder 39' and suitably bolted to the end-plate 3 I, as also shown in Figure 2 and. 3, is a trunnion-member ill, to which is secured the upper end of a depending annular apron ll that provides a housing for the column 29.

The trunnion-member 40 has a pair of up standing bearing arms 52 and 33, in which are received the ends of a horizontal axle-shaft 4 for supporting the table-top and pivotally enabling lateral tilting thereof.

Bearing arm 42 is provided with an inwardly off-set extension 475, to which is bolted a sectoi shaped worm gear d6, disposed in a vertical plane axially of the pedestal column 29.

A stanchion or coupler member ii is journalled its lower end on the axle-shaft M, so as to permit of lateral tilting thereof, for the purpose and results more fully disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,416,410 issued to me on February 25, 1947.

The head-rest section 2 at the forward end of the back-rest 3 is preferably mounted so as to be both removable and adjustable, and it will be understood that, while not here shown, suitable means may be provided for retaining the head-rest 2 in any of its adjusted positions.

As will be observed, the operating table of my invention is extremely simple of adjustment and control and efiiciently accomplishes and achieves in all respects the objects stated, the relative angular adjustments or lateral and longitudinal tiltin of the several top-sections and overall movement of the table from place to place as a unit being effected with ease and facility.

It will be understood that, while my invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, changes in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the table may be made and substituted for thoseherein shown and described without departing. from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i. In an operatin table, a base, a pedestal on the base, a table-top on the pedestal, and means for elevating the table for traveling movement, said means including a rotary shaft on the base, a pair of oppositely extending levers provided on opposed sides of the base, said levers, pivoted intermediate their ends on the base,

5 casters on the outer ends of the levers, rollers on the inner ends of the levers, carmmembers on the shaft having actuating engagement with the rollers on the inner ends of the levers, and a pedal for rotarily actuating the shaft.

2. In an operating table, a hollow base, retractile casters in said base, an individual mounting lever for each caster, a common actuating shaft, cam-members operatively connecting said shaft to said levers, whereby opposite rotations of said shaft cause said casters to move inwardly and outwardly of said base, an operating pedal for said shaft, and a latch device for holding said casters in positions outwardly of said base for floor engagement for traveling movement of the table.

In an operating table, a base normally adapted to rest upon the floor and thereby support the table means for elevating the base from the floor for traveling movement, said means including a rotary shaft on the base, a pair of levers pivoted intermediate their ends on opposite sides of said base, casters mounted on the outer ends of the levers, rollers mounted on the inner ends of the levers, cam members on the shaft, an operating arm mounted on the shaft by operation of which the shaft may be rotated for actuating engagement between the cam members and the rollers, and means mounted on the base for optionally locking the operating arm in engaged or disengaged position.

4. In an operating table, a base normally adapted to rest upon the floor and thereby support the table, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said base, the levers of each pair extending away from each other on opposite sides of the center-line of the base and having end portions which project across said center-line in closely spaced, laterally overlapping relationship, rollers mounted in each of said overlapping end portions, said rollers being located in substantial alignment horizontally with respect to each other, a rocking shaft journaled at its ends and extending horizontally across the base to one side of the center-line thereof, a pedal-lever rigidly connected to the rocking shaft and extending radially outwardly from beyond the base having an end portion accessible for foot actuation, and a rocker arm rigidly secured to the rocking shaft and extending beneath both rollers for simultaneous engagement therewith.

5. In an operating table, a base normally adapted to rest upon the floor and thereby support the table, a pair of levers pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on opposite sides of said base, the levers of each pair extending away from each other on opposite sides of the center line of the base, levers of each pair having end portions which project across said center-line in closely spaced, laterally overlapping relationship, rollers mounted in each of said overlapping end portions, said rollers being located in substantial alignment horizontally with respect to each other, a rocking shaft journaled at its ends and extending horizontally across the base to one side of the center-line thereof, a pedal lever rigidly connected to the rocking shaft and extending radially outwardly from beyond the base having an end portion accessible for foot actuation, a rocker arm rigidly secured to the rocking shaft and extending beneath both rollers for simultaneous engagement therewith, and. casters operatively mounted at the remote ends of said pivoted levers.

6. In an operating table, a base normally adapted to rest upon the floor and thereby support the table, means including a series of pivoted levers and casters carried by the levers operatively mounted on the base for elevating and lowering the base for traveling movement, a foot pedal lever operatively connected to said means and projecting outwardly from the base at one end in order to be accessible for foot actuation, said lever being provided intermediate its ends with a lateral projection, and a latch member swingably mounted on the base and located for engagement with said projection, said latch member having a detent notch adapted to receive said projection and being provided with a laterally extending counter weight for normally biasing the latch member into engagement With the projection, said detent in the latch member being cut away on its lower margin to provide a cam face adapted to interact with the projection as the foot pedal lever is moved downwardly past its normal locked position and thereby kick the latch member out of projection engaging position and release the foot pedal lever.

'7. In an operating table, a base normally adapted to rest upon the floor and thereby support a table, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the base, the levers of each pair extending away from each other on opposite sides of the center line of the base and at their inner ends are provided with pin members, roller members rotatively supported upon said pin members, said levers being pivotally supported upon the base member intermediate their length, casters carried by each of the levers at their outer ends, a shaft mounted at its ends in said base and extending transversely thereacross offset from the center line thereof, rocker arm members mounted on said shaft and adjacent the ends thereof, said rocker arms being disposed for optional engagement with the roller members, a pedal lever operatively secured at one end to said shaft and extending outwardly of the base at its other end, and means for maintaining said pedal lever optionally in either one of two positions, one of said positions being with the outer end of the pedal lever in elevated position whereby the rocker arms are out of engagement with the roller members, the other position being with the outer end of the pedal lever in downward position whereby said rocker arms are in engaged contact with the rollers for causing the caster bearing ends of the levers to be presented downwardly for engagement with the fioor or other support surface.

HYMAN ROBERT SHAMZPAINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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